Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973
Melitara subumbrella
This record describes Melitara subumbrella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larvae are white with pale purple cross-bands.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Melitara (Pricklypear Borer)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry desert.
Geographic Range
Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan to southern Arizona and central Texas. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. Type locality: Carlsbad, NM.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is March to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is Opuntia spp. (prickly-pear cacti).
Life History
Eggs are deposited in a stick shaped pile on cactus pods and fruits. The larvae bore into the pads where they complete the life cycle.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Melitara subumbrella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973
What is Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973?
Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973 (Melitara subumbrella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973?
Wingspan 35-52 mm.
How do you identify Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973?
Larvae are white with pale purple cross-bands.
Where is Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry desert. |
| Range | Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan to southern Arizona and central Texas. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. Type locality: Carlsbad, NM. |
What does Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973 eat?
The diet of the Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973 includes Larval host is Opuntia spp. (prickly-pear cacti)..
When is Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973 active?
Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973: seasonal activity - The main flight period is March to October..
What is the life cycle of a Melitara subumbrella - Hodges#5973?
Eggs are deposited in a stick shaped pile on cactus pods and fruits. The larvae bore into the pads where they complete the life cycle.